dna test to add father’s name to birth certificate
Do I need to take a paternity test to add the father’s name to the child’s birth certificate?
No. A paternity test is not mandatory for a father’s name to be added to a birth certificate.
Adding a father’s name to birth certificate occurs automatically when the man is married. The state assumes the husband is the legal father of the child.
The next instance occurs with unmarried couples. The alleged father would have to complete an acknowledgment of paternity (AOP) form at the hospital or his local registrar’s office in a city near his home. Once the form is completed, his name would be added to the child’s birth certificate.
Legal consequences:
When an unmarried man signs an Acknowledgement of Paternity form he must understand that this document has the legal enforcement as a court. Therefore, if an unmarried man is finds out he is not the biological father of the child months after. He may be responsible for child support if does not attempt to file a petition for a minimum of 18 years.
It is important to check the paternity laws in your state to learn more about the legal consequences of signing an AOP form.
What is the most common reason to DNA test used to add father’s name to a child’s birth certificate?
Unmarried Fathers:
Unmarried fathers want their names added to the child’s birth certificate because they want be apart of the child’s life. Oftentimes the relationship between the mother the alleged father are strained. In order for the father to perform a paternity test he must get permission from the mother or he must file a paternity petition in Family Court.
Unmarried Mothers:
Unmarried mothers oftentimes are looking for financial child support. There many mothers will work together with a willing alleged father to perform a paternity test to prove the assumed biological relationship between father and child.
Another instance a mother may seek assistance from Family Court when an alleged father refuses to contribute to the child’s life financially.
Social Security:
Social Security benefits is another reason a mother or guardian of a child will seek DNA testing. This situation occurs when the alleged biological father dies suddenly. When faced with this circumstance performing a paternity test to proved the deceased man is the biological father of the child. Learn more about the process by visiting our page on deceased father paternity testing for SSI benefits.
Conclusion
Unmarried parents normally are the people most likely to perform a paternity test in order to establish paternity and to add the alleged biological father’s name to the child’s birth certificate. We recommend that you check your state’s Paternity laws to understand how paternity establishment operates within your state.